All Things Considered

Commonly referred to as "ATC" and a staple for afternoon commutes, NPR's nationally syndicated afternoon news magazine brings you closer to home with the presence of WAMU's local host.

Since May 3, 1971 All Things Considered has been produced every day from NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Featuring a mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features, "ATC" produces 2 hours of fresh content every day for hundreds of public radio stations around the United States.

Elliott Francis

Local Host, All Things Considered

Francis has worked alongside some of the most influential media executives in the U.S. during his 25 years as a news anchor, including FOX News President and Chairman Roger Ailes, former CNN Executive Vice President Ed Turner, and the founder and former CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, John H. Johnson. In 2002, shortly after joining the ABC news affiliate in Washington DC (WJLA-TV) as the morning co-anchor, Francis was thrust into the rigors of live, non-stop coverage of the DC sniper shootings and investigation, sometimes speaking 8-9 hours unscripted. A skilled interviewer, Francis once convinced singer John Denver to go "on-camera" with details of his upcoming DUI trial.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

After a French satirical newspaper published crude caricatures of the prophet Muhammad on Wednesday, the French government braced for angry reaction at home and abroad. It planned to close embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools in 20 countries on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer. The government will block several demonstrations that had been planned around France to protest the American made anti-Muslim video that sparked deadly demonstrations in the Muslim world last week.

The leaked photos came just before a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Last year, the Chinese tested a stealth plane while the previous defense secretary, Robert Gates, was visiting. The moves are seen as an attempt by the Chinese to show off their rapidly expanding military technology.

Writer Philip Hoare talks about his new project, the "Moby Dick Big Read." From now until late January, a chapter of Herman Melville's classic whale-hunting epic will be available for download each day. Each is read by the likes of Tilda Swinton, John Waters and Stephen Fry.

Robert Siegel speaks with Elaine Pagels, religion professor at Princeton University, about the discovery of an ancient papyrus fragment that suggests some early Christians believed Jesus had a wife, and possibly a female disciple.

The union rank and file still must vote on whether to accept the contract hammered out between union leaders and city officials. And both sides will have some hard work ahead to repair the bad blood that erupted during the walkout.

Robert Siegel speaks with Andrew Kohut, President of the Pew research Center, about the results of its latest poll on the presidential race. The results show that President Obama leads challenger Mitt Romney among likely voters. His lead is currently larger than the previous three winning presidential candidates had at this point before their elections.

For the first time in decades, the historically black college played its first home game of the season without its famous Marching 100 band. The band was suspended for the year after drum major Robert Champion died as a result of a hazing incident last November.

Forests on the island of Guam are experiencing a spider epidemic, and invasive brown tree snakes are to blame. The snakes have nearly obliterated the island's native forest birds — which used to keep spider numbers in check.

Protesters in the Middle East and North Africa have demanded an apology from the U.S. government over a video that denigrates the Prophet Muhammad. While even highly offensive speech is protected by U.S. law, that level of protection is quite unique, even among many Western countries.

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took part in a forum on the Spanish-language television network Thursday night in Miami. He's also hosting a rally for Latino supporters in Miami. NPR's Scott Horsley tells Audie Cornish about the night.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Women with HIV have a high risk of getting cervical cancer, but the traditional screening method for the disease — a pap smear — isn't available in many poor countries. Now doctors have developed a cheap, simple alternative way to detect cervical cancer, and it's saving lives in Africa and Asia.

Samuel Beckett, the author of Waiting for Godot, is known for the spare, modern rhythms of his plays. Now, as Jeff Lunden explains, the off-Broadway show Sounding Beckett brings together three of the playwright's short works with new pieces of contemporary music they inspired.

When you give to WAMU, your tax-deductible membership gift helps make possible award-winning programs such as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, The Diane Rehm Show, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, and other favorites.